Sunny Isles Beach commission adopts first-reading ordinance changing building-height measurement to flood elevation

The City Commission of Sunny Isles Beach voted on first reading to change how the city measures building height, moving the reference point from the crown of the road to the minimum design flood elevation required by the Florida Building Code and FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program. The measure was adopted on a 4–1 roll call and will return for second reading in November and be referred to the Local Planning Agency for review.

City planning staff told the commission the ordinance’s purpose is ‘‘to provide consistency throughout the city for how to measure building height’’ and to avoid penalizing property owners who elevate homes to meet flood-code requirements. Staff read a revised definition into the record that measures height from the minimum design flood elevation (DFE) to the mean roof height or highest point depending on roof type and excludes certain parapets.

Opponents raised concerns that the change could make some newly built structures ‘‘potentially’’ up to five feet taller and argued that residents in neighborhoods such as Golden Shores and Atlantic Isles were not adequately notified. One commissioner moved to defer the ordinance to allow targeted outreach; that motion received no second.

Supporters said the amendment responds to recurring variance requests and creates an equitable, citywide standard so homeowners who elevate to avoid flooding are not left with reduced usable interior height. After debate, the commission adopted the ordinance on first reading; staff said the code amendment will align measurement with federally and state-mandated flood elevations.

The measure will return for a second reading in November. The Local Planning Agency will review the proposed LDR amendment in the interim.